Amanda Nunes | Photo by Cooper Neill /Zuffa LLC

Amanda Nunes thinks we are on the cusp of finally getting the superfight we nearly got a few years ago.

This Saturday, Julianna Peña defends her women’s bantamweight title against Kayla Harrison in the co-main event of UFC 316. But the fight is for more than just the 135 title, it’s for a shot at Nunes, who, earlier this year, announced she will return from retirement to face the winner. And ahead of Saturday’s event, that’s still Nunes’s plan.

“I’m ready,” Nunes told New York Post Sports. “I’m really back in the gym, I’m really healthy, my weight’s good, so why not? No injury. So let’s see what’s going to happen. I’m ready to step in again.”

Widely considered to be the greatest female fighter of all time, Nunes retired from MMA in 2023, after defending her title against Irene Aldana at UFC 289. A long-time champion, Nunes admitted her retirement had as much to do with a lack of interest in opponents as it did with needing some time off from the sport. Now, ahead of Saturday’s fight, Nunes is rejuvenated and looking at a possible new opponent to test herself against, which has her interested.

“We trained but we we’re really training partners,” Nunes said about Harrison, who also trains at American Top Team. “We didn’t train every day. When we would be able to train, we trained. We sparred only one time, when she got there. … I feel like when she started talking about me, ‘Maybe in the future we fight,’ talk about it, bringing all that attention to the fight, as a competitor, I like the idea, too. I definitely don’t have anything personal against her either. This is all business.”

While Nunes and Harrison were never booked to fight each other, the matchup was heavily rumored to be in the works back in 2021, when Harrison was at the end of her deal with PFL. Harrison even was cageside at UFC 269 for Nunes’s fight with Peña. Of course, Peña shocked the world, scoring one of the biggest upsets in MMA history by submitting Nunes, leaving Harrison visibly frustrated in the crowd. Harrison then went back to PFL and the superfight seemed lost forever.

But with the matchup possibly back on the menu after this weekend, Nunes believes this time things will go according to plan.

“I think it’s going to go to decision,” Nunes said. “I feel like three rounds Kayla, two rounds Julianna. I feel like later on, Julianna can stand out. I see Kayla doing what she wants to do, takedowns, use the cage, judo throw on the cage, using her trips to get Julianna down. I also know Julianna [is a] survivor, so Kayla doesn’t have enough to knock Julianna out or finish her on the floor. Actually, Julianna also very good jiu-jitsu defense, she got a lot better. She doesn’t stop. She’s going to make Kayla work a lot. She keeps coming. Kayla, is strong, so it’s going to be very good and interesting to see who is going to win. I think it can go either way, this fight, but I think decision Kayla.”

And if Peña manages to score another massive upset to once again ruin the UFC’s best laid plans? Well, Nunes is ready to settle up with her if need be.

“Yeah, I think it’s great,” Nunes said of a Peña win. “1-1 and we can make that happen. I will prove it once again. So I’m ready for her, too.”

TOP STORIES

Bars. ‘You’ve lost more fights than I’ve lost rounds in MMA’: Kayla Harrison, Julianna Peña share intense faceoff ahead of UFC 316.

Strip. Jon Anik: ‘I don’t know that Jon Jones really gives a rip if they strip him of the heavyweight championship.’

Next. Merab Dvalishvili reveals most likely next opponent, addresses potential conflict with teammate Patchy Mix.

Justified. Erin Blanchfield felt ‘justified’ with anger towards Maycee Barber, ‘definitely don’t plan on rebooking with her.’

Weight. Kayla Harrison’s head coach addresses growing concerns over repeated weight cuts to 135 pounds.

Not Enough. Julianna Pena doubts win over Kayla Harrison earns her respect: ‘It’s never enough.’

Optics. Kamaru Usman sympathizes with Maycee Barber’s last-second withdrawal, ‘but that was not a good look.’

Arrest. Ex-UFC fighter Greg Hardy arrested on charges for assaulting family member.

VIDEO STEW

Between the Links.

UFC 316 Staredowns.

Full UFC 316 Press Conference.

Erin Blanchfield interview.

UFC 316 Embedded, episode 4.

DC talks to Merab.

Max Holloway breakdown.

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Dana couldn’t get Elon vs. Zuck off the ground, but maybe.

Am I crazy, or does Patchy Mix look kinda like Tony Ferguson?

Aljo.

Same.

PFL making moves.

As a man who once argued why Andrei Arlovski is the GOAT, looks like we got Rogan on board!

FINAL THOUGHTS

One more sleep to the main event no one wanted. UFC 316 is, in my estimation, pretty weak. But perhaps you are excited about tomorrow, and if so, I hope it delivers as well as it can. Settle in and enjoy the fights, y’all.

EXIT POLL

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